The Young Man and the Tree - by Tim Johnson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Explore the stunning private tropical gardens created by award-winning landscape designer Fernando Wong

The Young Man and the Tree is gorgeous proof of Elle Decor's claim that Fernando Wong is "one of the most influential landscape designers in America." As the luxuriant private gardens featured in this sumptuously illustrated book reveal, Wong has become renowned for designing not only landscapes of lushly layered foliage and flowers but also elaborate garden follies, pools, pool pavilions, outdoor kitchens, fountains, sculpture gardens, and hardscapes. Trained in architecture and interior design in his native Panama, Fernando Wong turned to landscape design after moving to the United States in 2001, and along with his partner, Tim Johnson, founded Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design in 2005. All the projects featured here are located in tropical climes, including Miami, Palm Beach, and Lyford Cay on Nassau. With a foreword by Martha Stewart and commentary by noted interior designers including David Netto, Miles Redd, and Amanda Lindroth, who decorated some of the homes for which Wong created the gardens, this book provides gardeners and garden lovers everywhere with fresh inspiration.

Review Quotes

"Award-winning landscape architect Fernando Wong recently published his first book, The Young Man and the Tree: Fernando Wong Landscape Design, which showcases tropical projects from Palm Beach to the Bahamas."--Harriet Mays Powell "Palm Beach Cottages & Gardens" (12/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Fernando Wong's The Young Man and the Tree is a remarkable compendium of his lushly layered tropical gardens." -- "Cottages & Gardens" (11/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Palm Beach and Miami are dotted by gardens designed by the highly sought-after landscape designer Fernando Wong. In his gorgeous first book penned by his partner Tim Johnson with a glowing foreword by Martha Stewart, readers get to revel in the thoughtful beauty of Fernando's gardens." --Blue Carreon "Forbes" (3/11/2025 12:00:00 AM)

"Private escapes full of lushly layered foliage, flowers, elaborate garden follies, pools, pavilions and fountains are the stock-in-trade of high-profile landscape designer Fernando Wong."--Wendy Jacob "House & Home" (5/30/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Fernando Wong was born in Panama, where he trained in architecture and interior design. After moving to the United States in 2001, he took up landscape design. In 2005, Fernando Wong and his partner, Tim Johnson, co-founded Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design and grew the business from a two-man guest-bedroom office into a global landscape architecture firm with offices in Miami Beach and Palm Beach. Wong and Johnson live in Palm Beach.
Martha Stewart is the author of numerous lifestyle books, the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and a TV personality. She lives in Bedford, New York.
Carmel Brantley is a Florida-based photographer specializing in architecture, interiors, and gardens. Her work has appeared in Veranda, Southern Living, Better Homes & Gardens, Town & Country, and the Wall Street Journal. She lives in Ocean Ridge, Florida.